Best Beaches In The World

For those of us that worship the sun, we are perpetually searching for the perfect spot to worship. What makes a spot perfect? Well, that can vary greatly from one person to the next. Some of us prefer a quiet spot where we can enjoy the sun in peace. Some of us want to be where we can show off our designer swimwear and toned body. Still others are looking to worship without getting those annoying tan lines. Regardless of your personal tanning style, we would all agree that the three essential ingredients for a world class sunbathing spot are sun, sand and surroundings. With those three ingredients in mind, we’ve listed the best of the best. From famous to infamous, secluded to crowded and fashion conscious to bathing suits optional, you are sure to find a beach on the list that agrees with your style. This list is in no particular order.

10:La Minitas Beach
La Romana, Dominican Republic

The beaches of the Dominican Republic are renowned for their beauty and tranquility. Pristine, unspoiled and scenic, you almost can’t go wrong anywhere in the D.R. The only way to access La Minitas Beach is by a ten minute shuttle or golf cart ride, making this a great pick for those that prefer to sunbathe in relative seclusion. Despite being relatively secluded, there are restaurants fairly close if you get hungry, and, best of all, there is a massage room directly on the beach. Sunbathing and a massage – how can you go wrong?

9:White Beach

Boracay Island, Philippines

Over two miles of powder soft white sands that never get hot. Can we say sunbather’s paradise? This little slice of heaven lay virtually untouched until about 30 years ago. It is now considered by most to be one the best tropical vacation spots in the world. Make sure you go during Amihan (roughly September through June) when the temperatures are moderate, there is little rain and the prevailing wind blows a cool breeze in from the East.

8:South Beach

Miami, Florida

South Beach is the “see and be seen” beach. For those who love a little eye candy while soaking up the rays, this is the place for you. South Beach really comes alive at night, though, and you are almost assured of seeing someone famous if you spend any time there. If quiet and peaceful is not your idea of the way to worship the sun, then renew your gym membership and plan a trip down to Miami.

7:Santorini’s Red Beach

Akrotiri, Greek Islands

Santorini’s Red Beach is one of the most picturesque locations on the list. Surrounded by soaring red lava cliffs (hence the name), this beach also has some of the most beautiful and unique red sand in the world. The beach is only accessible by boat, or by a ten minute descent by foot from above. The entire island was formed from a now-sleeping volcano – sleeping but not dead. Santorini is said to be the true Atlantis, as much of the island literally slipped below the sea in the course of a night.

6:Tulum Beach

Tulum, Mexico

Mexico is hardly short of beautiful cities, with gorgeous beaches. What sets Tulum apart is the proximity to some of the most stunning Mayan ruins in all of Mexico. Tulum lies about 80 miles from Cancun, making it close enough to explore Cancun if you choose, yet far enough away to escape the crowds and over abundance of hotels. In fact, Tulum has yet to be completely invaded by tourism and is, therefore, still rather secluded and peaceful. If you have an interest in archeology, ancient civilizations or just love exploring, then Tulum is the perfect combination of sun and adventure.

5:Nudist Camp Beach

Vrboska, The Island of Hvar, Croatia

If you simply abhor those pesky tan lines, then try the naturalist beach in Vrboska. Surrounded by vineyards, pine groves and olive trees, this little cove is an incredibly beautiful spot for nude sunbathing. The beach has a plethora of rock outcroppings which can provide a secluded spot for sunbathing in your birthday suit, if you prefer privacy. If the full naturalist experience is more your style, then you may want to camp at the naturalist camp nearby complete with a small restaurant, store and gas station.

4:Hanalei Bay Beach

Kauai, Hawaii

If picturesque is what you are looking for in a sunbathing experience, then Hanalei Bay Beach is a must-see. A near perfect semi-circle of white sand is surrounded by a backdrop of waterfalls and gorgeous mountains stretching up past the clouds. While it can get crowded, especially during the winter when the surfing is excellent, you won’t find a more stunning view to gaze at while tanning anywhere in the world.

3:Ocracoke Island

North Carolina

If privacy and seclusion are what you look for in a sunbathing location, then look no further. This little gem of a spot can only be reached by boat, private plane or ferry. While modern electronics (ie: phones and computers) have reached this island paradise, they are still frowned on. The wilderness beach on Ocracoke has some of the most pristine sand to be found. Relax, get that book out you’ve been wanting to read and enjoy the rays.

2:Ipanema Beach

Rio de Janero, Brazil

Yes, the beach made famous by the song! Actually, Ipanema became famous in the 1970s when women first started wearing tangas (precursor to today’s thong bathing suit) on its shores. That atmosphere of freedom is still alive and well in Rio de Janero. It is a city full of life and is more than tolerant of self expression – on the beach or off. Topless sunbathing is common and thongs are still the preferred beachwear. If you want to let your hair down and show off your hard work at the gym, Rio is the place to do it.

1:Santa Cruz Beaches

Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz is classic California sunbathing. With almost 30 miles of oceanfront beaches to choose from, you can’t go wrong in Santa Cruz. If you are a big wave surfer, or just like to watch them, then Steamer Lane is the beach for you. If you want privacy and romance , try catching some rays at Seascape Beach. If you want some fun mixed in with your sun worship, then Main Beach is the place to be. Main Beach has an old fashioned boardwalk and amusement park, complete with rides, games and food just steps from the beach. Santa Cruz has something for everyone and a beach to suit everyone’s style.

Source: listserve.com

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Ghostly Doll’s Island. So cute :)))))))))

Welcome to Doll's Island by © Juan C. Hamparzumian
Entrance to Doll's Island, Xochimilco, Mexico City. © Juan C.

The Island of the Dolls, "La Isla de la Munecas" in Mexico is a renowned tourist destination with thousands of mutilated ugly dolls hanging from every tree.

Don Julian Santana, renouncing the world and his family to inhabit this island, dedicated his life to create the island of the Dolls which is believed to please the spirit of his drowned little girl. He is thought to scare off inquisitive onlookers by scary dolls. He was discovered drowned in 2001. His death did not take his eerie disturbed vision away.

Tourists will be attracted by a ghostly sight of dead childish faces of dolls which always graze at them as if they had to be in charged of dolls' death.

Don Julian Santana, a hermit renounced the world to inhabit this island

Strange world of mutilated dolls

Thousands of mutilated ugly dolls hanging from every tree

A mutilated doll

Lifeless dolls were mutilated and hung in the worst forms of human torture and punishment

Old dolls were scavenged from the garbage dump or bought in exchange for Don Julian's homegrown fruits and vegetables

Don Julian made the "La Isla de la Munecas" to please his drowned little girl's spirit.

Eerie eyes of mutilated dolls haunt your every move

Source: ezine9.com

About this place:

Located in the heart of the Xochimico's canals, Doll's Island has a history totally unique. Sometime in the 1950’s Julián Santana Barrera begun collecting dolls found in the trash. He lived in this tiny island in Xochimilco and according to his family, these dolls kept the bad spirits away. The family also says that a young girl drowned at the island and he brought the dolls to keep her spirit happy. The island was for many years forgotten, but then in the 1990’s a program to clean up the canals gave again way for the Mexican style gondolas (trajineras) to pass by the island. Julian drowned at the island on April 17th, 2001. His family keeps the place by visitor’s donations; the place has no electricity, no running water or any other kind of utilities. Cellular phones do get a signal, as Xochimilco is inside the limits of Mexico City’s Federal District.
To get there, you take a “trajinera” from the Cuemanco Pier and ask to be taken there. It’s a 2 hour trip each way, and during the trip you can enjoy beautiful views of Xochimico’s scenery.
© Juan C. Hamparzumian 2008

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New 7 Wonders

The provisional new seven wonders of nature have been chosen after a series of votes by the "New7Wonders Foundation" based in Zurich, Switzerland. The Amazon rainforest, Vietnam's Halong Bay, Iguazu Falls, South Korea’s Jeju Island, Indonesia’s Komodo National Park, Philippines’s Puerto Princesa River and Table Mountain in South Africa are the newly voted wonders of the nature world.

The Amazon Rainforest

The Amazon Rainforest, also known as Amazonia, the Amazon jungle or the Amazon Basin, covers the area of a billion acres, encompassing areas in Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. The Amazon is home to at least 40,000 plant species, 3,000 freshwater fish species and over 370 reptile species exist in the Amazon. The Amazon is considered to have half of the planet's remaining rainforests and be the largest and most species-rich tract of tropical rainforest in the world. The official list will be announced in 2012.

The Amazon Rainforest

Halong Bay, Vietnam

Vietnam's Halong Bay, which is located in the north of the country, is made up of 1,600 islands and islets in various sizes and shapes. The islands, which are dotted with caves and can be accessed only by boat, were first listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1994. There is a Fishing Village in Ha Long Bay where people live in non-solid ground in a coastline of 2,000 islands. Children at the unique village go to the floating schools by school boats everyday.

Halong Bay, Vietnam

Iguazu Falls, Argentina and Brazil

The Iguazú Falls, which is one of Argentina and Brazil’s most popular touristic destinations, consists of 257 individual falls over 2.7 kilometers. Among them, the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s throat) with its U-shape offers best scene of these majestic waterfalls. Specially, over 2000 species of plants, 400 of birds and 70 mammals live in this area.

Iguazu Falls, Argentina and Brazil

Jeju Island, South Korea

Jeju Island, South Korea's subtropical volcanic island, is situated 130 kilometres off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula. Listed as a World Natural Heritage Site in 2007, the volcanic island is best known for its scenic mountains, waterfalls, forests, caves and beaches.

Jeju Island, South Korea

Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Indonesia's Komodo is considered to be the world's largest living lizard which is best known for its unique fauna and its unusual inhabitant. Komodo National Park covers three larger islands Komodo, Rinca and Padar and some smaller ones. The national park was originally founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon.

Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Puerto Princesa River, Philippines

Puerto Princesa River is the longest navigable underground river in the world which can be traveled by an organized boat ride. The river emerges directly into the South China Sea; hence, its lower portion is subject to tidal influences. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River is 8.2km long and home to more than 250 bird species, 800 plant species and at least 295 types of trees.

Puerto Princesa River, Philippines

Table Mountain, South Africa

Table Mountain is the level plateau edged by impressive cliffs which forms a dramatic backdrop to Cape Town. The unique shaped mountain has withstood six million years of erosion. The place is home to at least 2,200 plant species and over 1,470 floral species.

Table Mountain, South Africa

New 7 Wonders of nature 2011

Source:ezine9.com

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Travel to Darwin

Darwin is one of the world's top 10 cities to visit in 2012. The city was featured in recently-released Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2012. According to Lonely Planet, one of the world's leading publishers of travel guide books, Darwin is the triumph of Australia’s Top End. Darwin, being right at the Top End, is a gateway to several southeast Asian countries.

Darwin is the capital of the largest Australian mainland territory. It is perched on a peninsula with sea on three sides. Thus, the city is an excellent base to expore the natural attractions of Kakadu National Park , Nitmiluk National Park , and the Tiwi Islands .Gorges, a kaleidoscope of rainforests, termite mounds, wetlands, and waterfalls are waiting for visitors to be discovered in numerous national parks.

Bicentennial Park is a great place to have a picnic while watching the sunset.

Lake Alexander is an ideal spot for swimming all year round. The lake is also popular for picnics and barbecues.

The northernmost capital city in Australia has a pumping nocturnal scene and world-class wilderness areas just down the road.

Darwin has blue skies and warm weather all year round.

Visitors can explore the arts and crafts at Mindil Beach Sunset Market.

or visit Aquascene and befriend the fish.

Darwin has a colorful history which has contributed to its cultural diversity. The 100,000 population is made up by over 50 nationalities. The cultural benefits of such a melting pot are experienced through the annual calendar of festivals and events. They city also has a relaxed outdoor lifestyle and party nights.

The Aviation Heritage Centre has an impressive collection of aircraft.

Darwin Wharf Precinct was a target for Japanese bombs.

Darwin Festival

Picnic area located Charles Darwin National Park

Darwin, Australian Travel Video Guide

Source:ezine9.com

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The World's Tallest LEGO Tower

52 cities around the world have participated in a competition to build tallest LEGO tower in the world and the winner is a LEGO tower which was built by adults in Santiago, Chile. The Lego Tower on the Chilean capital is higher than the previous world`s tallest Lego tower that was set in Duisberg, Germany on August last year. In Duisberg, The Lego tower is rising 30.76 meters or 101 feet high and In Santiago, The Lego Tower is rising 31 meters or 101 feet and 8 inches.

Tallest lego tower

This little gap put Santiago as the city with the newest tallest interlocking plastic LEGO tower in the world. Ivan Zamorano, ex-Chilean Football superstar, was the last person who put the last Lego plastic before topping up the tower with a Lego logo flag.

Final Touch-Lego Tower

The construction required a big crane, huge help from adults and 3 days of hard work. Around 500,000 Lego Plastic bricks are employed to rise the tower up and the total weight of all plastic bricks that were exported to Santiago was around 700 kilos/1,543 lbs.

Santiago Lego Tower

Santiago now has new attraction with the Tallest Lego Tower construction, if you used to trip to Santiago, now you have new destination to visit.

Source:http://www.mostinterestingfacts.com/

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10 World's Most Beautiful Palaces

When Royals were born to earth, they had privileges to create little heavens in the world and claimed it as their resident. With decent lump of money from the people they built their vision of heaven came true and now we can see some of their imagination of heaven on this post. Here 10 Most Beautiful Palaces in the world.

Chateau de Chambord

The royal chateau de Chambord in France is a representation of a Royal`s love to a girl. The construction is combination of French Renaissance architecture, traditional French medieval and classical Italian structures. When a Royalty`s Love turns to be a construction this is what happen.

Alhambra

Today, Alhambra used to be a resident of Moorish rulers of Granada. The complex is located at the southern Spain adjacent to a hilly terrace on the southeastern border of the city of Granada. The complex is fronted with a strong fortress that already stands on this area since the mid of 14th century.

Potala Palace

This palace is addressed in Lhasa, Tibet, and was the house of Dalai Lama since hundreds of years ago. Today, it is just a national museum site. With only view restriction to follow, any tourist can visit this palace.

Palace of Versailles

Good and bad rulers had occupied this palace. This Palace has many stories and beautiful constructions. The constructor has a great taste of art and he had a freedom to spill his imagination to this complex. Palace of Versailles is also famous for the Garden of Versailles. This 2 object are symbol of Victory and romanticism

Summer Palace,China

Summer Palace of Beijing is located at the Central of Kunming lake. The Palace is standing over 2.2 square kilometers manmade area of longevity Hill. Beautiful Gardens, small palaces and other classical architectural structures already built around this complex to complete its beauty

Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria

Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria, is completed with modern architectural design combined with European classical style construction and beautiful gardens and parks. Today, it is owned by Habsburg monarchs .The palaces is famous since 1960s and it is still well-managed up to now

Mysore Palaces

Mysore Palace is located at the Mysore city and it is owned by Mysore Royal Family this time. At night, The palace become the center of the crowd and it attracts many local or international tourist every month.It is the 2nd most visited object after Taj Mahal

Pena National Palace

Pena National Palace is located perfectly above the hill of city of Sintra. On a clear sky, this site can be spotted from Lisbon. It is Grand building of Portugal and one of the oldest building in the country

Forbidden City 

Located at the hearth of Beijing, Forbidden City palace is an old and iconic site. The existence of the palace is known since a millennium ago. It was a house of different dynasties and the last family who inhabited the palace was Ming Dynasty. For almost 500 years, the palace served royalties from different clan and now it becomes a Museum to remember what left from the dynasties in the past.

Buckingham Palace

From Buckingham Palace at the City of Westminster, Queen and King of England controls the powers of British army since the last 100 years. In 2 world wars, the palace suffered many damages but the beauty remains intact and authentic.It is one of the most popular and beautiful palace that always be remembered and protected

Source:http://www.mostinterestingfacts.com/

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The World’s Most Fascinating Travel Destination

When talking about the landscapes of the Middle East, people may think of spellbinding landscapes with unrivalled seas of sand dunes and palm-fringed lakes in desert. Travelers can walk along Turkey’s grand coastline, visit urbane metropolis of Istanbul, trek on camels in the deserts of Iran and Turkmenistan, or switch to hiking when entering the more mountainous countries. However, the region discerns travelers as it is place where bridges between ancient and modern civilization are evident. Some of the most significant civilizations of antiquity rose and fell. The region is also the birthplace of some monotheistic religions including Christianity and Judaism. Therefore, it is understandable that the Middle East is teeming with cultural, religious, and historic treasures. Let’s explore this fascinating travel destination.

Hail City has over thirty gardens and 25 landscaped areas. Its cultural centre includes a permanent exhibition center, halls for meetings and lectures, and a number of halls for artistic exhibitions.

Hail City, Saudi Arabia

The Empty Quarter desert is located in the southern region of Saudi Arabia. The almost moistureless deset covers most of southern Saudi Arabia.

Pilgrims in prayer around the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

A beautiful sunset at the Nile River.

The Nile is famous as the longest river in the world.

Dubai has a rich collection of buildings of various architectural styles.

Hagia Sophia is a great architectural beauty.

The Sheikh Zayed Mosque reflects the spirit of Island, a region of peace, tolerance and education.

Petra is the most valuable treasure of Jordan. It is a unique city, carved into the sheer rock face by the Nabataeans.

Source: http://travel.ezine9.com/

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